Our u16 camogie team took on James Stephens in the county final on the 23rd September in a windy Dunmore. The girls looked strong from the very start with dangerous corner forward Moya O’Brien leading the girls with a goal straight away. Two minutes later St. Brigids got their second goal putting them six points ahead.
It looked like goals were going to be the difference in this game as in the fifth minute James Stephens also scored a goal. The intensity and pressure on both sets of backs was mighty. It was an exciting first five minutes and a great start to entertain the crowd that turned out. Midfielders Isabel Caldbeck and Tara Ronan each scored a fine point from play which put the girls five points ahead. Two more points were scored by the James Stephen’s midfield but ferocious work from our half back line and midfields meant Molly Butler got the ball near the goal and made sure it rattled the back of the James Stephens net. James Stephens dominated the remainder of the half scoring 1-6 unanswered which put them ahead 2-8 to 3-2 at half time.
The second half kicked off with great determination from both teams but James Stephens scored two points from frees in the 32nd and 37th minutes. Tara Ronan then converted a free of her own and three minutes later, scoring machine Molly Butler scored another goal and two points which drew the teams level. Sub Lauren East then put the girls ahead with a point in the 17th minute. The next five minutes were tough work for both teams as the backs were forming a solid wall. Moya O’Brien scored the 5th goal for St. Brigid’s with eight minutes to go which put the girls ahead by four points. Two minutes later James Stephens scored a point and then leveled the game with two minutes to go with a goal. One minute left and James Stephens went ahead with a point from play but Roisin Casey kept the girls in it by converting a free. This left the game level at full time on a scoreline of 5-7 to 3-13 and meant there was twenty more minutes to play as it went to extra time.
James Stephens came out at the start with a goal straight away which gave them a great boost as they scored another three points unanswered which put them six points ahead at half time in extra time on a scoreline of 5-7 to 4-16. In the first four minutes they scored another three points but Tara Ronan and Lauren East scored a point each before the end. Unfortunately, it was too late to pull back on the village lead which was accumulated mainly in the first half if extra time. Full time in extra time 5-9 to 4-19.
Team and scorers: Ellie O’Neill, Reece Delaney, Faith Delaney, Ava Murphy, Suzy Kelly, Katie Brennan, Lucy Egan, Kate McCluskey, Tara Ronan (0-3), Margaret Maher, Isabel Caldbeck (0-1), Molly Butler (2-2), Moya Obrien (3-0) , Roisin Casey (0-1), Kate Everard.
Subs: Kelly Lanigan, Sarah Harrison, Cliona Teehan, Abbie O’Neill, Abby O’Keefe, Caragh Keating Cullen, Claire Doheny, Lauren East (0-2), Ciara Wall.
Well done to all on a great year and getting to the final. Something to build on for next year. Thank you to all who supported the girls and thank you to the management team who put in great effort all year.